Illegal Timber Cutting

[LanceS4803]

I hunt a neighbor's small property.
Went out today to check my shooting lanes for my climbers and found that the woods had been partially logged. They came in and took most of the mature hardwoods, and pushed over other smaller trees getting the large ones out. It almost like they didn't want to take too much, and make it noticeable. Patches of open area here and there.
My climber trees from last year are gone, the trails have been blocked with cut limbs and felled trees. It is like starting from scratch.
The owner had no idea someone had done this.

 

[Super8]

That's messed up. I would be investigating and seeking reimbursement.

 

[MUP]

Whereabouts is this?

 

[rem270]

The owner will get to name his price on his logs. Its supposed to be 3x the amount its worth bd ft wise. But who's going to be able to say how much there worth. Id be pissed.

 

[MUP]

I believe it may be 3x what the top dollar per ea tree, regardless of size. Been a while but had a guy cut some trees on my property years ago, but can't say I remember for sure. I never sued him for the lost trees as I was more concerned about his attempt to claim 10 acres of my property. The trees he had cut were boundary trees, which in itself I believe may be a fed offense.

 

[BSK]

A forester can measure the stumpage and tell you the estimated value of what was cut.

That's a crime that should not go unpunished.

 

[Boll Weevil]

This happens more often than one might think; especially along property boundaries and when landowners aren't able to "stay in touch" with their property quite as closely.

 

[barkscaler]

Would the sawmill keep a log of what type of log and quantity from an individual?I would count the stumps and figure out species.Gotta start smewhere.Oh I would be livid.

 

[LanceS4803]

I think she has an idea who might have done it, but it will be up to her to pursue.
Should be fairly easy to determine the species/size of each tree from the stump. Lost some nice mature, acorn bearing, trees.

 

[muddyboots]

If its over 1000 dollars they could serious jail time. Acouple years back a guy stole my fishing equipment worth about 1500 and he got 11 months and 29 days.

 

[DirtyBear0311]

I hope she decides to pursue this and the thieving @$$holes get hit hard!

 

[Snake]

Dang ! Ask around some one should have seen some one . Tell him to throw the book at them .

 

[W.Seay]

A forester can measure the stumpage and tell you the estimated value of what was cut.

That's a crime that should not go unpunished.

No doubt!!

 

[pressfit]

A few years ago I had some guys steal about 5K worth of Paulownia Logs from my farm... the sheriff never really did anything.. the thieves were from Alabama.. a deputy finally brought a picture to my neighbor to try and identify one of the crooks.. she couldnt.. funny thing... the picture he brought was probably 20 years old

 

[redblood]

timberjack would be a good resource regarding this kind of thing

 

[Hunter 257W]

Did they log a joining property where they could have possibly gotten confused about boundaries? If not, that took some nerve just coming onto a property and logging outright knowing that somebody could come buy at any time and catch them. Mad wouldn't begin to describe how I'd feel if that were my woods.

 

[timberjack86]

timberjack would be a good resource regarding this kind of thing

Just saw this.
First thing I would do is drive the roads surrounding the property and find out where they skidded and loaded the logs.
Then I would talk to all of the neighboring landowners and see if anyone has had there timber worked in the last 6 months. The picture appears pretty recent. Then hopefully I could follow the drag roads to the neighbors land where the thieves loaded the logs. I see this thing from time to time where loggers from neighboring landowners tend to cross the lines and steal timber. Its easier for them to get by with it if they have there equipment set up on a legal job. The landowner probably had no knowledge of the theft to your property. And may have some complaints as well. I hope this helps. You can shoot me a pm if you have any questions.

 

[LanceS4803]

Thanks timberjack.
I talked to her again today and she said she was going to take a look. Had no idea that it had happened. I first saw some of it last fall, but more was done over the winter.
She had some work done (firebreak type road put in) on another area of her property and thinks the same people just came into this area to cut prime trees.
No way to mistake the property line as the ajoining property was clearcut about 10 years ago, and is still scrub.

 

[timberjack86]

Thanks timberjack.
I talked to her again today and she said she was going to take a look. Had no idea that it had happened. I first saw some of it last fall, but more was done over the winter.
She had some work done (firebreak type road put in) on another area of her property and thinks the same people just came into this area to cut prime trees.
No way to mistake the property line as the ajoining property was clearcut about 10 years ago, and is still scrub.

I don't know the legal numbers but if she can prove who it was she should receive fair compensation for every little bush that was destroyed

 

[PcDeer]

I know the feeling! Been there done that

 

[1990deerhunter]

any thing over 500 is a felon